Creeping Boobialla, Creeping Myoporum, Dwarf Native Myrtle, Small Leaved Myoporum
Myoporum parvifolium
The Story
Plant Bio
Myoporum parvifolium, known as creeping boobialla, is a prostrate, evergreen shrub endemic to southern Australia, where it grows in clay and saline soils. The species forms a dense, weed-suppressing mat of trailing stems clad in narrow, glandular-dotted leaves.
This groundcover produces small, star-shaped white or pale pink flowers marked with purple spots from spring through to autumn. The layering stems root where they touch the soil, providing highly effective erosion control on slopes and retaining walls.
Uses & Benefits:
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Groundcover
Height
16 inches
Width
118 inches
Light
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Zones
9, 10
Water
Low
Humidity
Low to medium
Lifespan
Perennial
Native To
Southern Australia
Toxicity
Non-toxic
Planting
How to Grow
- Select a planting site in full sun to ensure the densest foliage cover and tightest growth habit.
- Improve heavy clay soils by planting on a slight mound or slope to prevent standing water and subsequent root rot.
- Space plants 1.5 to 3 metres apart to allow the trailing stems room to spread into a continuous mat.
- Water regularly until established, then reduce watering to rely on natural rainfall.
Pro Tip
Prune only the leafy outer perimeter of the plant; cutting back hard into old, leafless woody stems will fail to trigger new shoots.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Plant in well-drained soil to prevent root-rot pathogens.
- Prune lightly once every one to two years after peak flowering.
- Use a low-rate, slow-release native fertiliser if feeding is required.
Don't
- Do not cut back into old, bare wood as it will not re-shoot.
- Do not plant in low-lying depressions where water pools.
- Do not overwater once the root system is established.
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fertilize | ||||||||||||
| Pest Check | ||||||||||||
| Propagate | ||||||||||||
| Prune |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Companion Plants
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
Creeping Boobialla, Creeping Myoporum, Dwarf Native Myrtle, Small Leaved Myoporum questions
What zones can Creeping Boobialla, Creeping Myoporum, Dwarf Native Myrtle, Small Leaved Myoporum grow in?
Creeping Boobialla, Creeping Myoporum, Dwarf Native Myrtle, Small Leaved Myoporum is hardy in USDA Zones 9–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.
When does Creeping Boobialla, Creeping Myoporum, Dwarf Native Myrtle, Small Leaved Myoporum bloom?
Creeping Boobialla, Creeping Myoporum, Dwarf Native Myrtle, Small Leaved Myoporum typically blooms in spring through autumn. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does Creeping Boobialla, Creeping Myoporum, Dwarf Native Myrtle, Small Leaved Myoporum need full sun?
Creeping Boobialla, Creeping Myoporum, Dwarf Native Myrtle, Small Leaved Myoporum does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.
Is Creeping Boobialla, Creeping Myoporum, Dwarf Native Myrtle, Small Leaved Myoporum drought tolerant?
Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Creeping Boobialla, Creeping Myoporum, Dwarf Native Myrtle, Small Leaved Myoporum handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.
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Grow Creeping Boobialla, Creeping Myoporum, Dwarf Native Myrtle, Small Leaved Myoporum with confidence
See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.